Fluidic dispensing device
A fluidic dispensing device includes a casing having a reservoir chamber and a primary vent chamber. An end cap is positioned at an end of the casing. The end cap is connected to the casing. A vent path extends from the primary vent chamber to the atmosphere through a gap between the end cap and the casing.
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This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 15/183,666; 15/183,693; 15/183,705; 15/183,722; 15/183,736; 15/193,476; 15/216,104; 15/239,113; 15/256,065; 15/278,369; 15/373,123; 15/373,243; 15/373,635; and Ser. No. 15/373,684.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the InventionThe present invention relates to fluidic dispensing devices, and, more particularly, to a fluidic dispensing device, such as a microfluidic dispensing device, having a backpressure regulation member to control backpressure.
2. Description of the Related ArtOne type of microfluidic dispensing device, such as an ink jet printhead, is designed to include a capillary member, such as foam or felt, to control backpressure. In this type of printhead, the only free fluid is present between a filter and the ejection device.
Another type of printhead is referred to in the art as a free fluid style printhead, which has a movable wall that is spring loaded to maintain backpressure at the nozzles of the printhead. One type of spring loaded movable wall uses a deformable deflection bladder to create the spring and wall in a single piece. An early printhead design by Hewlett-Packard Company used a circular/cylindrical deformable rubber part in the form of a thimble shaped bladder positioned between a container lid and a body. The thimble shaped bladder maintained backpressure in the ink enclosure defined by the thimble shaped bladder by deforming the bladder material as ink was delivered to the printhead chip. The deformation of the thimble shaped bladder collapses on itself, i.e., around and inwardly toward a central longitudinal axis.
In order to maintain backpressure in the printhead, the backside of the pressure regulating member, opposite to the fluid side, is vented to the atmosphere through a vent hole.
What is needed in the art is a fluidic dispensing device having an improved venting arrangement, which may increase options in placing external indicia or components, such as product labeling, on the device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention provides a fluidic dispensing device having an improved venting arrangement, which may increase options in placing external indicia or components, such as product labeling, on the device.
The invention in one form is directed to a fluidic dispensing device that includes a casing having a reservoir chamber and a primary vent chamber. An end cap is positioned at an end of the casing. The end cap is connected to the casing. A vent path extends from the primary vent chamber to the atmosphere through a gap between the end cap and the casing.
The invention in another form is directed to a fluidic dispensing device that includes a body having a reservoir chamber. An ejection chip is attached to the body in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber. A regulation member is associated with the reservoir chamber. A lid covers the reservoir chamber and is attached to the body. A vent path includes a vent path portion that extends through a gap between the lid and the body. The vent path is in fluid communication both with the regulation member and with the atmosphere external to the fluidic dispensing device.
The invention in another form is directed to a fluidic dispensing device that includes a body having an exterior perimeter wall and a reservoir chamber located within a boundary defined by the exterior perimeter wall. The reservoir chamber has a perimetrical end surface. An ejection chip is mounted to the exterior wall. The ejection chip is in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber. A diaphragm is positioned in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the reservoir chamber. The diaphragm has a dome portion, wherein the dome portion moves along a deflection axis as the fluid is depleted from the fluid reservoir. A lid is engaged with the exterior perimeter wall and is attached to the body. The lid is positioned to cover the diaphragm to form a dome vent chamber between the lid and the diaphragm. An end cap is positioned on an end of the body and lid opposite to the ejection chip. A secondary vent chamber is located between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid. A vent path extends from the dome vent chamber through the secondary vent chamber to the atmosphere.
The above-mentioned and other features and advantages of this invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the invention, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONReferring now to the drawings, and more particularly to
Referring to
Referring also to
As used herein, each of the terms substantially orthogonal and substantially perpendicular is defined to mean an angular relationship between two elements of 90 degrees, plus or minus 10 degrees. The term substantially parallel is defined to mean an angular relationship between two elements of zero degrees, plus or minus 10 degrees.
As best shown in
Referring also to
Referring now also to
Exterior perimeter wall 140 of body 122 includes an exterior wall 140-1, which is a contiguous portion of exterior perimeter wall 140. Exterior wall 140-1 has a chip mounting surface 140-2 that defines a plane 142 (see
Referring to
As best shown in
Inlet fluid port 152 is separated a distance from outlet fluid port 154 along a portion of interior perimetrical wall 150. As best shown in
Fluid channel 156 is configured to minimize particulate settling in a region of ejection chip 118. Fluid channel 156 is sized, e.g., using empirical data, to provide a desired flow rate while also maintaining an acceptable fluid velocity for fluid mixing through fluid channel 156.
In the present embodiment, referring to
Fluid channel 156 is configured to connect inlet fluid port 152 of chamber 148 in fluid communication with outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148, and also connects fluid opening 140-3 of exterior wall 140-1 of exterior perimeter wall 140 in fluid communication with both inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148. In particular, channel inlet 156-1 of fluid channel 156 is located adjacent to inlet fluid port 152 of chamber 148 and channel outlet 156-2 of fluid channel 156 is located adjacent to outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148. In the present embodiment, the structure of inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148 is symmetrical.
Fluid channel 156 has a convexly arcuate wall 156-3 that is positioned between channel inlet 156-1 and channel outlet 156-2, with fluid channel 156 being symmetrical about a channel mid-point 158. In turn, convexly arcuate wall 156-3 of fluid channel 156 is positioned between inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148 on the opposite side of interior perimetrical wall 150 from the interior space of chamber 148, with convexly arcuate wall 156-3 positioned to face fluid opening 140-3 of exterior wall 140-1 and ejection chip 118.
Convexly arcuate wall 156-3 is configured to create a fluid flow through fluid channel 156 that is substantially parallel to ejection chip 118. In the present embodiment, a longitudinal extent of convexly arcuate wall 156-3 has a radius that faces fluid opening 140-3 and that is substantially parallel to ejection chip 118, and has transition radii 156-4, 156-5 located adjacent to channel inlet 156-1 and channel outlet 156-2, respectively. The radius and transition radii 156-4, 156-5 of convexly arcuate wall 156-3 help with fluid flow efficiency. A distance between convexly arcuate wall 156-3 and fluid ejection chip 118 is narrowest at the channel mid-point 158, which coincides with a mid-point of the longitudinal extent of ejection chip 118, and in turn, with a mid-point of the longitudinal extent of fluid opening 140-3 of exterior wall 140-1.
Each of inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148 has a beveled ramp structure configured such that each of inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154 converges in a respective direction toward fluid channel 156. In particular, inlet fluid port 152 of chamber 148 has a beveled inlet ramp 152-1 configured such that inlet fluid port 152 converges, i.e., narrows, in a direction toward channel inlet 156-1 of fluid channel 156, and outlet fluid port 154 of chamber 148 has a beveled outlet ramp 154-1 that diverges, i.e., widens, in a direction away from channel outlet 156-2 of fluid channel 156.
Referring again to
Referring particularly to
Referring to
Referring to
Fluid mixing in the bulk region relies on a flow velocity caused by rotation of stir bar 132 to create a shear stress at the settled boundary layer of the particulate. When the shear stress is greater than the critical shear stress (empirically determined) to start particle movement, remixing occurs because the settled particles are now distributed in the moving fluid. The shear stress is dependent on both the fluid parameters such as: viscosity, particle size, and density; and mechanical design factors such as: container shape, stir bar 132 geometry, fluid thickness between moving and stationary surfaces, and rotational speed.
Also, a fluid flow is generated by rotating stir bar 132 in a fluid region, e.g., the proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 and fluid channel 156, associated with ejection chip 118, so as to ensure that mixed bulk fluid is presented to ejection chip 118 for nozzle ejection and to move fluid adjacent to ejection chip 118 to the bulk region of fluid reservoir 136 to ensure that the channel fluid flowing through fluid channel 156 mixes with the bulk fluid of fluid reservoir 136, so as to produce a more uniform mixture. Although this flow is primarily distribution in nature, some mixing will occur if the flow velocity is sufficient to create a shear stress above the critical value.
Stir bar 132 primarily causes rotation flow of the fluid about a central region associated with the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132, with some axial flow with a central return path as in a partial toroidal flow pattern.
Referring to
In the present embodiment, the four paddles forming the two pairs of diametrically opposed paddles are equally spaced at 90 degree increments around the rotational axis 160. However, the actual number of paddles of stir bar 132 may be two or more, and preferably three or four, but more preferably four, with each adjacent pair of paddles having the same angular spacing around the rotational axis 160. For example, a stir bar 132 configuration having three paddles may have a paddle spacing of 120 degrees, having four paddles may have a paddle spacing of 90 degrees, etc.
In the present embodiment, and with the variable volume of fluid reservoir 136 being divided as the proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 and the continuous ⅔ volume portion 136-4 described above, with the proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 being located closer to ejection chip 118 than the continuous ⅔ volume portion 136-4, the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 may be located in the proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 that is closer to ejection chip 118. Stated differently, guide portion 134 is configured to position the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 in a portion of the interior space of chamber 148 that constitutes a ⅓ of the volume of the interior space of chamber 148 that is closest to fluid opening 140-3.
Referring again also to
More preferably, the rotational axis 160 has an orientation substantially perpendicular to the fluid ejection direction 120-1, and thus, the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 has an orientation that is substantially parallel to plane 142, i.e., planar extent, of ejection chip 118 and that is substantially perpendicular to plane 146 of base wall 138. Also, in the present embodiment, the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 has an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to plane 146 of base wall 138 in all orientations around rotational axis 160 and is substantially perpendicular to the fluid ejection direction 120-1.
Referring to
For example, guide portion 134 may be configured to position the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 in an angular range of parallel, plus or minus 45 degrees, relative to the planar extent of ejection chip 118, and more preferably, guide portion 134 is configured to position the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 substantially parallel to the planar extent of ejection chip 118. In the present embodiment, guide portion 134 is configured to position and maintain an orientation of the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 to be substantially parallel to the planar extent of ejection chip 118 and to be substantially perpendicular to plane 146 of base wall 138 in all orientations around rotational axis 160.
Guide portion 134 includes an annular member 166, a plurality of locating features 168-1, 168-2, offset members 170, 172, and a cage structure 174. The plurality of locating features 168-1, 168-2 are positioned on the opposite side of annular member 166 from offset members 170, 172, and are positioned to be engaged by diaphragm 130, which keeps offset members 170, 172 in contact with base wall 138. Offset members 170, 172 maintain an axial position (relative to the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132) of guide portion 134 in fluid reservoir 136. Offset member 172 includes a retention feature 172-1 that engages body 122 to prevent a lateral translation of guide portion 134 in fluid reservoir 136.
Referring again to
The plurality of offset members 170, 172 are coupled to annular member 166, and more particularly, the plurality of offset members 170, 172 are connected to second annular surface 166-2 of annular member 166. The plurality of offset members 170, 172 are positioned to extend from annular member 166 in a second axial direction relative to the central axis 176, opposite to the first axial direction.
Thus, when assembled, each of locating features 168-1, 168-2 has a free end that engages a perimetrical portion of diaphragm 130, and each of the plurality of offset members 170, 172 has a free end that engages base wall 138, with base wall 138 facing diaphragm 130.
Cage structure 174 of guide portion 134 is coupled to annular member 166 opposite to the plurality of offset members 170, 172, and more particularly, the cage structure 174 has a plurality of offset legs 178 connected to second annular surface 166-2 of annular member 166. Cage structure 174 has an axial restraint portion 180 that is axially displaced by the plurality of offset legs 178 (three, as shown) from annular member 166 in the second axial direction opposite to the first axial direction. As shown in
As such, in the present embodiment, stir bar 132 is confined within the region defined by opening 166-3 and annular confining surface 166-4 of annular member 166, and between axial restraint portion 180 of the cage structure 174 and base wall 138 of chamber 148. The extent to which stir bar 132 is movable within fluid reservoir 136 is determined by the radial tolerances provided between annular confining surface 166-4 and stir bar 132 in the radial direction, and by the axial tolerances between stir bar 132 and the axial limit provided by the combination of base wall 138 and axial restraint portion 180. For example, the tighter the radial and axial tolerances provided by guide portion 134, the less variation of the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 from perpendicular relative to base wall 138, and the less side-to-side motion of stir bar 132 within fluid reservoir 136.
In the present embodiment, guide portion 134 is configured as a unitary insert member that is removably attached to housing 112. Guide portion 134 includes retention feature 172-1 and body 122 of housing 112 includes a second retention feature 182. First retention feature 172-1 is engaged with second retention feature 182 to attach guide portion 134 to body 122 of housing 112 in a fixed relationship with housing 112. The first retention feature 172-1/second retention feature 182 may be, for example, in the form of a tab/slot arrangement, or alternatively, a slot/tab arrangement, respectively.
Referring to
The beveled wall of flow separator feature 184-1 positioned adjacent to inlet fluid port 152 of chamber 148 cooperates with beveled inlet ramp 152-1 of inlet fluid port 152 of chamber 148 to guide fluid toward channel inlet 156-1 of fluid channel 156. Flow separator feature 184-1 is configured such that the rotational flow is directed toward channel inlet 156-1 instead of allowing a direct bypass of fluid into the outlet fluid that exits channel outlet 156-2. Referring also to
Likewise, referring to
In the present embodiment, flow control portion 184 is a unitary structure formed as offset member 172 of guide portion 134. Alternatively, all or a portion of flow control portion 184 may be incorporated into interior perimetrical wall 150 of chamber 148 of body 122 of housing 112.
In the present embodiment, as best shown in
Also, guide portion 134 is configured to position the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 in a portion of fluid reservoir 136 such that the free end tip 132-5 of each of the plurality of paddles 132-1, 132-2, 132-3, 132-4 of stir bar 132 rotationally ingresses and egresses a proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 that is closer to ejection chip 118. Stated differently, guide portion 134 is configured to position the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 in a portion of the interior space such that the free end tip 132-5 of each of the plurality of paddles 132-1, 132-2, 132-3, 132-4 rotationally ingresses and egresses the proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 of the interior space of chamber 148 that includes inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154.
More particularly, in the present embodiment, wherein stir bar 132 has four paddles, guide portion 134 is configured to position the rotational axis 160 of stir bar 132 in a portion of the interior space such that the first and second free end tips 132-5 of each the two pairs of diametrically opposed paddles 132-1, 132-3 and 132-2, 132-4 alternatingly and respectively are positioned in the proximal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-1 of the volume of the interior space of chamber 148 that includes inlet fluid port 152 and outlet fluid port 154 and in the continuous ⅔ volume portion 136-4 having the distal continuous ⅓ volume portion 136-3 of the interior space that is furthest from ejection chip 118.
Referring again to
Referring to
As will be described in more detail below, in the present embodiment, diaphragm 130 is configured such that during the collapse of diaphragm 130 during fluid depletion from fluid reservoir 136, the displacement of dome portion 130-1 is uniform with dome crown 130-6 of diaphragm 130 becoming concave, as viewed from the outside of diaphragm 130, and the direction of collapse, i.e., displacement, of dome portion 130-1 is along a deflection axis 188 that is substantially perpendicular to the fluid ejection direction 120-1 (see also
Also, as shown in
In the present embodiment, referring to
Referring also to
Channel 122-2 further includes an inner perimetrical side wall 122-7, that also forms an outer perimeter surface portion of interior perimetrical wall 150, and that is laterally spaced inwardly from the lower inner side wall 122-6, such that inner perimetrical side wall 122-7 is the innermost side wall of channel 122-2 and lower inner side wall 122-6 is the outermost side wall of channel 122-2. In particular, channel 122-2 having lower inner side wall 122-6 and inner perimetrical side wall 122-7 defines a recessed path in body 122 around perimetrical end surface 150-3 of body 122, with the inner perimetrical side wall 122-7 vertically terminating at an outer edge of perimetrical end surface 150-3 of body 122.
Referring to
Exterior positioning lip 194 is used to position lid 124 relative to body 122. In particular, during assembly, exterior positioning lip 194 is received and guided by upper inner side wall 122-5 of exterior rim 122-4 into contact with interior recessed surface 122-3 of body 122 (see also
Referring to
In addition, referring again to
Referring again to
Referring to
Referring again to
Referring also to
In the present embodiment, vent path 202 includes a first vent path portion 204 (see
First vent path portion 204 is defined between lid 124 and body 122. First vent path portion 204 extends from, and is in direct fluid communication with, dome (primary) vent chamber 196 (see also
Referring to
In the present embodiment, each of dome vent path 204-1 and a dome vent path 204-2 is formed as an opening in interior positioning lip 190 and diaphragm pressing surface 192 of lid 124. More particularly, in the present embodiment, dome vent path 204-1 and a dome vent path 204-2 are located on opposite sides of, and laterally extend through, interior positioning lip 190 and diaphragm pressing surface 192 of lid 124.
Each of dome vent paths 204-1, 204-2 is in fluid communication with one or both of side vent openings 204-3, 204-4 via void regions between body 122 and lid 124. Each of side vent opening 204-3 and side vent opening 204-4 is formed as a lateral opening in exterior positioning lip 194, and is in direct fluid communication with secondary vent chamber 206. Side vent opening 204-3 is spaced apart from side vent opening 204-4 along the perimetrical extent of exterior positioning lip 194. In the present embodiment, while spaced apart, side vent openings 204-3, 204-4 are located to be covered by end cap 126. It is contemplated that in an embodiment that does not include end cap 126, each of side vent opening 204-3 and a side vent opening 204-4 would be in direct fluid communication with the atmosphere external to microfluidic dispensing device 110.
Referring to
Referring to
In the present embodiment, vent hole 124-1 (see
For example, even if vent hole 124-1 was blocked, such as by product labeling, or removed for aesthetic reasons, venting of the region between dome portion 130-1 and lid 124 is maintained by vent path 202, and more particularly, by first vent path portion 204 having one or more of dome vent path 204-1 and a dome vent path 204-2 in fluid communication with one or more of side vent openings 204-3, 204-4, which in turn are in fluid communication with the atmosphere at gap 212 via the combination of secondary vent chamber 206 and second vent path portion 208. Further, since second vent path portion 208 is in direct fluid communication with the atmosphere around the periphery of gap 212, vent path 202 cannot be completely blocked at gap 212 from communication with the atmosphere without sealing an entire periphery at gap 212, i.e., on all four sides of microfluidic dispensing device 110.
Referring to
As best shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring again to
Referring again to
Referring also to
Referring to
Referring to
In accordance with the present embodiment, advantageously, second vent path portion 338 of vent path 302 is in direct fluid communication with the atmosphere around the periphery of gap 330. Thus, external indicia or components, such as product labeling, may be placed anywhere in the region of gap 330 of microfluidic dispensing device 300, so long as an entirety of the periphery at gap 330, i.e., on all four sides of microfluidic dispensing device 300, is not sealed.
While the invention has been described with respect to at least one embodiment, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A fluidic dispensing device, comprising:
- a casing having a reservoir chamber and a primary vent chamber;
- an end cap positioned at an end of the casing, the end cap being connected to the casing; and
- a vent path that extends from the primary vent chamber to the atmosphere through a gap between the end cap and the casing.
2. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the casing includes a regulation member associated with the reservoir chamber, a body and a lid attached to the body, the body defining the reservoir chamber, the primary vent chamber located adjacent the regulation member and the lid positioned to cover the regulation member.
3. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the end cap defines a secondary vent chamber between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid, the secondary vent chamber interposed in the vent path between the primary vent chamber and the atmosphere.
4. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the vent path includes a vent path portion located in a gap between the body and the lid.
5. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the end cap defines a secondary vent chamber between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid, and wherein the vent path includes:
- a first vent path portion located in the lid to couple the primary vent chamber to the secondary vent chamber; and
- a second vent path portion located in a gap between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid to couple the secondary vent chamber to the atmosphere.
6. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the end cap is releasably attached to at least one of the body and the lid by a snap latch mechanism.
7. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 2, wherein the vent path includes:
- a first vent path portion in direct fluid communication with the primary vent chamber; and
- a second vent path portion that extends through the gap of the end cap with at least one of the body and the lid to the atmosphere, the second vent path portion being in fluid communication with the first vent path portion.
8. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the regulation member is a diaphragm that is in sealing engagement with a perimetrical end surface of the chamber to cover the reservoir chamber.
9. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 1, wherein the regulation member is a capillary member positioned in the reservoir chamber.
10. A fluidic dispensing device, comprising:
- a body having a reservoir chamber;
- an ejection chip attached to the body in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber;
- a regulation member associated with the reservoir chamber;
- a lid that covers the reservoir chamber and is attached to the body; and
- a vent path including a first vent path portion that extends through a gap between the lid and the body, the vent path being in fluid communication both with the regulation member and with the atmosphere external to the fluidic dispensing device.
11. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 10, further comprising an end cap positioned at an end of the body opposite to the ejection chip, the end cap being attached to at least one of the body and the lid, and wherein the vent path includes a second vent path portion that extends through a gap of the end cap with at least one of the body and the lid to the atmosphere.
12. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 10, further comprising an end cap positioned at an end of the body opposite to the ejection chip, the end cap being releasably attached to at least one of the body and the lid by a snap latch mechanism, and wherein the vent path includes a second vent path portion that extends through a gap of the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid to the atmosphere.
13. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 10, wherein:
- the reservoir chamber has a perimetrical end surface;
- the regulation member is a diaphragm that is in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the reservoir chamber; and
- the lid covers the diaphragm to form a primary vent chamber between the lid and the diaphragm, the primary vent chamber being in fluid communication with the first vent path portion of the vent path.
14. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 13, further comprising:
- an end cap positioned at an end of the body and the lid opposite to the ejection chip; and
- a secondary vent chamber located between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid, wherein the vent path includes a second vent path portion that extends through a gap of the end cap with at least one of the body and the lid to the atmosphere, the vent path extending from the primary vent chamber and through the secondary vent chamber to the atmosphere.
15. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 14, wherein the end cap is releasably attached to at least one of the body and the lid by a snap latch mechanism.
16. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 10, further comprising;
- an end cap positioned over the first vent path portion at the gap of the body and the lid;
- a secondary vent chamber between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid; and
- the vent path includes a second vent path portion that extends through a gap of the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid to the atmosphere.
17. A fluidic dispensing device, comprising:
- a body having an exterior perimeter wall and a reservoir chamber located within a boundary defined by the exterior perimeter wall, the reservoir chamber having a perimetrical end surface;
- an ejection chip mounted to the exterior wall, the ejection chip being in fluid communication with the reservoir chamber;
- a diaphragm positioned in sealing engagement with the perimetrical end surface of the reservoir chamber, the diaphragm having a dome portion, wherein the dome portion moves along a deflection axis as the fluid is depleted from the fluid reservoir;
- a lid engaged with the exterior perimeter wall and attached to the body, the lid positioned to cover the diaphragm to form a dome vent chamber between the lid and the diaphragm;
- an end cap positioned on an end of the body and lid opposite to the ejection chip;
- a secondary vent chamber located between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid; and
- a vent path that extends from the dome vent chamber through the secondary vent chamber to the atmosphere.
18. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 17, wherein the vent path includes a vent path portion located in a gap between the body and the lid.
19. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 17, wherein the vent path includes a vent path portion located in a gap between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid.
20. The fluidic dispensing device of claim 17, wherein the vent path includes:
- a first vent path portion located in a gap between the body and the lid to couple the primary vent chamber to the secondary vent chamber; and
- a second vent path portion located in a gap between the end cap and at least one of the body and the lid to couple the secondary vent chamber to the atmosphere.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Feb 17, 2017
Date of Patent: Apr 10, 2018
Assignee: FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Inventor: Steven R. Komplin (Lexington, KY)
Primary Examiner: Lisa M Solomon
Application Number: 15/435,983
International Classification: B41J 2/19 (20060101);